Ry-Krisp

{{Short description|American brand of rye crispbread}}

{{Infobox food

| name = Ry-Krisp

| image =

| caption =

| alternate_name =

| country = United States

| region = Minnesota

| creator =

| course =

| type = Cracker

| served =

| main_ingredient = Rye

| year = {{start date and age|1899}}

| variations =

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| other =

}}

Ry-Krisp is an American brand of rye crisp bread that was introduced in 1899.{{cite web|last=Nelson |first=Rick |url=https://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/taste/27808089.html |title=History never tasted better |publisher=StarTribune.com |date=2008-09-04 |access-date=2017-10-06}} Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Ry-Krisp plant was purchased by Ralston Purina in 1926.{{cite web |url=http://www.purina.com/company/History.aspx |title=Pet Food Manufacturer: Ralston Purina Pet Food Company History/Timeline | Purina.com |access-date=2009-03-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223063133/http://purina.com/company/History.aspx |archive-date=2009-02-23 }} In 1994, the Ralston portion of Ralston Purina was spun off into a new company called Ralcorp Holdings, including the RyKrisp operations. Ralcorp was acquired by ConAgra Foods in 2013.

In January 2015 ConAgra Foods announced that the factory that produces RyKrisp would be closed and the product would be discontinued due to declining demand.[http://www.startribune.com/business/290207831.html Minneapolis RyKrisp factory closing] Star Tribune, January 29, 2015 RyKrisp Inc. bought the brand in April 2015 with plans to revitalize it once a new manufacturing partner was found. A larger-scale commercialization was planned for October 2015 with commercial production expected some time after that.September 28, 2015 email update from RyKrisk CEO Ted Leavitt As of fall 2018 production had not yet started. The owners of the RyKrisp brand gave legal issues as a reason.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rykrisp.com/brief-update-september-17-2018/|title=Brief Update – September 17, 2018 – RyKrisp.com|date=October 3, 2018}} The reason for the legal issues lay with a dispute between RyKrisp and the baking company, Distinctive Foods. Due to concerns about Distinctive Food's ability to produce product, RyKrisp moved the equipment purchased from ConAgra to their own warehouse. RyKrisp alleged that Distinctive's CEO moved the equipment back to its own facility and refused to return it, demanding an additional $50,000. At this point RyKrisp contracted with iBake, who later cancelled the contract after Distinctive allegedly sent a cease and desist letter to iBake.{{Cite web|url=https://www.startribune.com/ramstad-the-resurrection-of-minnesotas-rykrisp-cracker-was-much-harder-than-expected/600266408|title=Ramstad: The revival of Minnesota's RyKrisp cracker was much harder than expected|first=Evan|last=Ramstad|date=April 12, 2023|website=www.startribune.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagolawbulletin.com/don-sampen-appeals-court-weighs-facts-necessary-to-decide-duty-to-defend-20240507|title=Court assesses facts necessary to decide insurer duty to defend|first=Chicago Daily Law Bulletin|last=staff|work=Chicago Daily Law Bulletin }}

RyKrisp took Distinctive to court, where they were defended by State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company in the case State Auto Property & Casualty Insurance Co. v. Distinctive Foods, LLC. State Auto found that Distinctive's policy did not provide coverage in this instance and the case went to trial. In October 2019 the Ry-Krisp owners wrote that their "attorneys succeeded in securing an $8.3 million verdict from a Cook County jury in favor of Firm client RyKrisp, LLC in a dispute between the rye cracker producer and (its contract manufacturer). ... The judgment ensures that RyKrisp will recover damages and lost profits following (the) conversion of RyKrisp's equipment and tortious efforts to interfere with RyKrisp's business."{{Cite web|title=RyKrisp Update – October 27, 2019 – RyKrisp.com|url=https://www.rykrisp.com/rykrisp-update-october-27-2019/|access-date=2021-11-10|language=en-US}}

On 23 May 2024, RyKrisps stated that due to the costs involved with litigation and lack of funds they would no longer be able to go forward with production.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rykrisp.com/rykrisp-update-may-23-2024/|title=RyKrisp Update – May 23, 2024 – RyKrisp.com|date=May 27, 2024}}